Arsenic in drinking water in Northern region of Serbia

Abstract

In this study we present the results of arsenic concentration in water samples from public water supply system of city Zrenjanin and three Northern municipalities Elemiš, Taraš and Melenci taken every month during 2002, 2007 and 2011. Total arsenic content was determined using AAS technique with hydride generation system. Determined levels of arsenic in all investigated samples were more than 10 times higher than the maximum permissible limit recommended by WHO (10 μg/L) and even reached levels higher than 300 μg/L. During 2011 drinking water from 44 pump wells in Zrenjanin was also analyzed showing that more than 50% of pump wells contain more than 10 μg As/L. These findings can be explained by geological characteristics of Northern region of Serbia belonging to Pannonian Basin which has aquifers that contain high concentration of naturally occurring arsenic. Results suggest that arsenic levels in this Serbian region are even higher than in other countries in the Pannonian Basin. Having in mind profound deleterious effects of arsenic on human health, different social, economical and technological measures are required in order to reduce arsenic concentration to acceptable limits.